There’s no guarantee. However, the MNR’s provincial coordinator for human-wildlife interactions says black bears might be a bit later than usual coming out of hibernation this spring.
Micheline Mamone says bear den emergence can happen anytime from mid- to late March into May. It usually peaks in mid-April.
But colder temperatures and more snowpack as we experienced this past winter…
“We do notice that bears will tend to hibernate a little bit longer and if we have earlier, warmer spring temperatures and the snow is gone earlier as it was last year, they may wake up from hibernation that little bit earlier,” Mamone explains. She adds that each bear can have its own timeline, although typically, larger males leave their dens the earliest.
Before berries come out, the bears will eat anything green they can find. They’re also carnivores, so they’ll dine on meat from winter kill.
“Things like moose or deer that have passed away in the winter, bears will take advantage and scavenge on those food sources in the spring.”
Listen to our entire interview posted below. Mamone provides a lot more information, including how to safeguard your property, pets and family against a bear encounter.
